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I asked Bee to write this post, as sun protection for kids is something she’s about to have to start thinking about!
At the time of writing I’m nearly nine months pregnant and I’m absolutely boiling hot 100% of the time. I spend most of my time lying out somewhere like a beached whale in front of a fan, cursing my decision to become pregnant in October. I honestly don’t know what I was thinking.
With the summer upon us, I need to think about ways to make sure my new baby doesn’t get too hot as well. We have varying togs of sleeping bags for him and a range of different styles of vests, but even then I’m concerned about how warm it gets in the bedroom at night.
It’s really important to think about how to keep kids safe in the heat when they’re outside too. The sun can have a massive impact on their health, and it goes deeper than just the sting of a sunburn you weren’t prepared for at the beach. Every time you get sunburnt it increases your risk of developing problems such as skin cancer and this can affect you at any age. The choices we make now in terms of looking out for our kids while they are out in the sun will impact them in later life whether that’s cosmetically, like being more prone to wrinkles, or their health being threatened in the future.
There are a few simple ways to help kids stay safe in the sun, and it’s about more than just slapping on some sunscreen when you first head out for the day. You can never be too careful with kids in the sun, so it’s a good idea to follow these recommended tips.
1 – Know when it’s safe to be in the sun
While it’s really important to get out in the sun and get some much needed vitamin D, it’s best to keep out of direct sunlight when it’s at its brightest between 12 and 3pm. Move into the shade or inside during these hours if you’re able to to make sure that your kids aren’t affected by the day’s harshest rays. If you have to be out in the sun, big beach umbrellas are a great idea for some makeshift shade.
2 – Keep on top of your sunscreen game
We should all know by now that just applying sun cream once during the day isn’t going to be enough to offer proper protection, but it’s easier said than done during busy days and when kids are off playing. Make sure you get the highest factor of sunscreen possible and apply it regularly throughout the day, especially after swimming.
A Solar Buddies child friendly applicator is great for this as its chunky design, roller ball and sponge makes the sunscreen super easy for kids to apply. It’s especially useful for packing in a kid’s bag for school or nursery, as it will be easy for them to apply themselves if staff aren’t able to do this, with less mess, no waste and no sticky hands.
3 – Think about the clothes they are wearing
With the hot weather on the rise you may think that less is more when it comes to clothing and keeping cool, but this can actually be really dangerous for kids. Even with sunscreen on, it’s a good idea to keep covered up as much as possible in light, breathable fabrics for maximum sun protection. This is especially important for babies with delicate skin.
4 – Accessorise
The accessories your child has are as important as the clothes they have on and the sunscreen they wear. We may think of sunglasses as more of a fashion item to block the glare of the sun for adults, but the skin around the eye area as well as the eyes themselves are so delicate that they’re actually recommended for everyone over six months old. Hats are really important too, especially ones with extra flaps that cover the neck and ears.
5 – Kit out your car
I’d never considered having to protect kids from the sun while they’re in the car, but this one is really important especially on long journeys in the middle of the day if you’re going on holiday or to visit friends and family. The windows alone don’t block out harmful rays so make sure you fit the back windows with the appropriate sun shades to prevent this. A light blanket is also a really good way to stop exposed legs from actually getting sunburnt during a car ride.
Do you have any top tips for keeping kids safe in the sun?
Find out more about the Solar Buddies child friendly sunscreen applicator here.
Photos by Chema Photo and Luke Michael on Unsplash